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Della’s dreams of a family were fading fast. Then an online competition changed her whole future (p10). While Joy was grieving for her dad, her mum was arrested for a shocking crime and the whole family had a fight on their hands (p6). And why was Rachael written off as a bad parent while she was still pregnant (p37)? Plus, we’ve got your favourite prize puzzles, floral fashion (p12) and bakes that would make great gifts this Mother’s Day (p40). Whether you’re being spoilt, you’re spoiling your own mum, or just wishing you could, enjoy the day. TEST KITCHEN UK Formed of expert food writers and chefs, our Test Kitchen has created all the recipes featured in this issue. Find them on pages 40-41.…

Looking up at my partner Ryan, then 35, I popped the question I’d been dying to ask. ‘Shall we start trying for a baby?’ Ryan’s grin gave me the answer I needed. It was December 2015 and it’d been two years since we’d hit it off in a bar in Edinburgh. And after a year of darting back and forth from my home in West Lothian to his in Northern Ireland, we’d moved in together in Belfast in April 2014. Since then, babies had been on my mind. To my surprise, I fell pregnant one month after we started trying. ‘We’re going to be parents!’ I cried, elated. But eight weeks in, I started bleeding. I went to the hospital and had tests and scans. ‘You’ve had an ectopic pregnancy,’…

WHAT’S THE VERDICT? On 31 October 2019, Kevin Otto was found guilty of the manslaughter of Kelvin Mattocks and Robert Higgins. Speaking after the verdict, District Attorney Rachael Rollins said, ‘The defendants had a responsibility to take measures ensuring the safety of their employees. Instead, they flouted those regulations time and again, without regard for the lives of the workers they recklessly and callously put at risk. ‘Today’s verdict will not ease the pain of the families of Mr Higgins and Mr Mattocks, but it sends a strong message that, in Suffolk County, those who wilfully risk their employees’ lives will face criminal consequences. ‘The legacy of Mr Higgins and Mr Mattocks and their hard work to provide for their families will never be forgotten.’ Otto was sentenced to two years in…

Dr Martin Edwards is a family GP whose advice you can trust Q My second toes, next to the big one on each foot, are bent and painful. My surgeon says this is hammer toe and needs an op. Is it really necessary? Helen, Lyndhurst A Usually a hammer toe arises when your big toe starts to bend inwards – a condition called hallux valgus, which also causes bunions. As your big toe bends, it pushes the second toe, next to it, upwards until this too becomes permanently bent and rubs against your shoes. The rubbing causes corns to develop over the knuckle and tip of the toe, which can become very painful. Mild hammer toes don’t need surgery and wide-fitting shoes, soft rubber or silicone toe splints and pads to cushion your…

HOW TO GET INVOLVED… It couldn’t be easier. Simply follow the four steps below to get in touch and submit your photos. We can’t wait to hear from you! STEP 1 Go online to goodtoknow.co.uk/real STEP 2 Fill in your name and contact information. STEP 3 Upload your photos. Please make sure you follow the instructions on the form carefully. STEP 4 Agree to the Terms & Conditions, and then submit your pics.…

He prefers porn to me Q Things with my boyfriend of two years are generally great. The problem is his low sex drive. He promises it’s not me, but my confidence has been knocked. I’m not as attractive as his last girlfriend and worry he’s just not that into me. He watches porn, sometimes alone, rather than being intimate with me. It’s upsetting and embarrassing, so I’ve stopped initiating sex. What can I do? Lynne, 23 A Firstly, understand that no matter how much sex some men have, they will always watch porn. If your sex drive’s higher, don’t feel ashamed. Focus on why you aren’t feeling attractive. Do what you need to feel beautiful again. Your boyfriend will notice, and he’ll naturally find you sexier. Does he even love me?…

‘You were so calm,’ my aunty beamed at me and Lily-Rose. Weighing 6lb, my baby girl was so cute, and so tiny. I couldn’t wait to get her home. My parents both fell in love with her. And, back home, we all settled in with our new arrival. That December, I went back to college. In the mornings, I’d feed and dress Lily-Rose before taking her to the creche. Then, in the evening, I’d juggle homework and night feeds. Unfortunately, my relationship with Lily-Rose’s dad broke down and he was no longer involved. But I had more than enough love for my girl. At the weekend, I’d take Lily-Rose to the park. Other mums just assumed I was her sister – I didn’t bother correcting them. I loved watching her…

Coronation Street Alya digs the dirt on Geoff Determined to make Yasmeen wake up to Geoff’s coercive control, Alya finds an online story about his past that she hopes will make the scales fall from her gran’s eyes. Later, when Geoff finds Alya’s been digging for dirt on him, he storms off to a restaurant in town. Is he dining alone, or is he meeting someone? EastEnders Sharon’s heartbreaking decision After Sharon registers the birth of her son Kayden, she begins making arrangements for the funeral of her other son Dennis, who drowned in the recent boat crash. As she leaves the baby with his gran Karen, an inconsolable Sharon struggles to cope, leading her to make a heart-wrenching decision. Emmerdale Paddy loses baby Eve! Marlon’s out for a drive…

Jenny Stallard, 42 Q Help! I’m new to fake tan and don’t know where to start. A Gradual tan is ideal for beginners, and Nivea Gradual Tan Moisturiser with Q10, £6, Wilko, is foolproof. Best applied every day in place of your normal moisturiser, it slowly builds up a natural-looking glow. Once at your desired shade, use every other day. Formulated with Q10 to firm and moisturise, it doesn’t have a biscuit-like fake-tan smell, either. Wash your hands after applying. When you’ve mastered gradual, try a nourishing mousse like Garnier Ambre Solaire Natural Bronzer Self Tan Mousse, £14, Boots. It gives a deep, streak-free finish with one application, lasting a whole week. Prep is key, so exfoliate first with Bondi Sands Coconut & Sea Salt Body Scrub, £12.99, Superdrug, to…

Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me. That’s what I told my daughter Tegan when you started with your cruel taunts. But sadly it turned out not to be true. My outgoing, confident daughter had been a flurry of energy and excitement when she started primary school in September 2011. On our way home, she’d be full of stories about ancient Egypt or the Romans. ‘I’m so proud of you,’ I’d grin after she’d showed me and her dad Scott, then 28, her work. Only, by the time she’d got to her second year, Tegan became more subdued. She seemed withdrawn, would hide in her room or sit and bite her nails. ‘What’s up, sweetheart?’ I asked, spotting the anxious expression on her once-happy…

What was the original name of the galleon that Sir Francis Drake renamed The Golden Hind? The number next to the clue tells you which line the answer’s in. We’ve put a section in to start. There may be two Across answers in one line. Down words fill themselves. The shaded squares spell out the prize answer. Win! £150 Puzzle 2 2 Nationality of one native to Oslo 4 Teacher’s title • One of the Houses of Parliament 6 Tranquillity • Creature to whom the adjective vulpine refers 8 Personal adornments Your answer:…

WIN £1,001 Puzzle 5 What connects Viola Davis and Ewan McGregor? To find out, solve the crossword then read down the shaded squares to find the prize puzzle answer. ACROSS 1 Lifting device (5) 4 Wharf or pier (4) 6 Mexican hat (8) 13 City in Cyprus (7) 14 Dawn (7) 15 Journal (5) 16 Public school (4) 17 Inflatable mattress (6) 18 Glass container for liquids (6) 20 Knock against (4) 21 England v Australia cricket tournament (5) 22 Tummy crunches (3-3) 25 Curls of hair (8) 28 Oak tree seeds (6) 30 Wear away (5) 32 Forever (8) 34 Gotham superhero played by Christian Bale (6) 35 Group of three (4) 38 Bird eaten at Christmas (6) 39 Royal house of Elizabeth I (5) 40 Tense (2,4) 43 Sauce…

As the phones pinged non-stop around me, I dabbed the beads of sweat from my forehead. ‘Hello, how may I help?’ I chirped, faking enthusiasm as I picked up the phone. Chatting away, I felt the room spin. By lunchtime, exhausted and overwhelmed, I couldn’t wait to slope off to the shop. Treat myself to Scotch eggs and sausage rolls. It was November 2014, and I worked in a call centre for a complaints company. For years, I’d been in and out of work. So, when I’d landed this job months earlier, I was over the moon. My dad Andrew, then 56, and my mum Angela, then 41, were happy for me, too. ‘It’s a fresh start,’ Dad said. Only, I was struggling. I’d suffered from anxiety and depression since…

We’ve all had a day at work where something gets on our nerves. But while your temper might cool, there’s another nerve problem plaguing us – carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). Research has found that up to 15% of us are suffering from CTS, which brings pain to the wrist, forearm and fingers.** It’s not just at work – we’re getting CTS from our devices, with the research finding that 16% of adults get carpal tunnel-related pain after using their mobile phone or tablet. To combat this, you should take breaks from devices, shake your wrists at night, and try some stretches, such as circling your hand.…

Sitting in a hospital armchair, wires draped across my lap, I scrolled through my phone to see pictures I’d saved. Wedding hair ideas and dream dresses… It was September 2018 and I was getting married in nine months’ time. But there was no way I’d fit into the size-8 white gown I’d bought. And my hair wouldn’t slip into the loose bun style I’d dreamed of. You see, I was going through chemotherapy for stage-three ovarian cancer. My hair had fallen out and my weight had ballooned. I couldn’t believe how much my life had changed in the two years since my fiancé Matthew had proposed. Back then, I’d always dreamed of getting married and having kids. ‘Let’s start planning!’ I’d said excitedly, already imagining the flowers and bridesmaid dresses.…

3 ways to… save on gifts for your mum 1Flower power  Sending a bouquet of blooms can be seriously expensive unless you’re savvy. So, if you’re ordering online, always shop around for the best deal and search for discount codes too. Plus, order as early as possible to avoid the risk of being hit with expensive express delivery fees. If you’re seeing your mum in person, you’ll have more options; always check what deals the supermarkets are offering on flowers and, if you’re feeling crafty, you could turn cheaper bunches into a stunning hand-tied bouquet using how-to guides online. 2 Make it meaningful You can also save money by making a thoughtful present instead of buying one. For example, why not create a scrapbook filled with photos from over the years like…

TEST KITCHEN UK Top tip Cordials are a great way to add flavour, and there are so many to choose from. Special celebration cake for Mum A beautifully light sponge paired perfectly with a floral cream and strawberry filling SERVES 12 PREP TIME 25 MINS COOK TIME 20 MINS ● 225g butter, softened● 225g caster sugar● 4 eggs, lightly mixed● 2tbsp milk● 225g self-raising flour For the filling● 300ml double cream● 3tbsp elderflower cordial ● 2tbsp icing sugar● 4tbsp strawberry jam For the drizzle ● 225g icing sugar, sifted● 6tbsp elderflower cordial● Sugared flowers 1 Heat the oven to 180C/Gas 4. Line and grease 3x20cm cake tins. Cream the butter and sugar together until soft and light, gradually add the eggs and milk, then fold in the flour. 2 Divide between the tins…

Aries 21 March-20 April Don a new style this week, Aries. Dress up and strut your stuff in front of those whose attention you want to gain and you’ll be surprised by their reaction. ● Call 0905 817 0690* for more Taurus 21 April-21 May Health is on the agenda for you, so keep up your fitness levels by starting out as you mean to go on. It’s time to keep your eye on the prize right now. ● Call 0905 817 0691* for more Gemini 22 May-21 June You will be feeling a bit adventurous when it comes to money, but don’t be tempted to spend everything in one go. Save something for a rainy day. ● Call 0905 817 0692* for more Cancer 22 June-23 July Love will…

HASK Cactus Water Weightless Moisture Conditioner, £6.99, Boots Designed for dry, thirsty locks, this replenishes hair without weighing it down. Perfect if your hair is thin or fine. L’Oréal Paris Plump & Set Brow Artist in Warm Blonde, £7.99, Superdrug A fuss-free way to thicker looking eyebrows – simply brush up and through to add instant colour and fullness. Revolution Snow Mushroom Serum, £9.95, beautybay.com Traditionally used in Chinese medicine, snow mushroom can hold up to 500 times its own weight in moisture. Wear under your moisturiser for an extra hit of hydration. Nursem Caring Hand Cream, £9.99, Boots Developed with nurses to combat the dryness that comes with relentless hand washing, this is a must try for sore, chapped mitts. For every tube you buy, a nurse or midwife…

Handle with care Rather than buy a new chest of drawers, I painted the handles of my old one silver and then stuck on pretty tree decorations that I’d had from Christmas. Now it beautifully matches the new colour scheme in my bedroom – and all for next-to-no cost. Susan MacDonald, Catford Makes scents To keep your clothes smelling fresh and clean, just use a scented tumble dryer sheet to line the bottom of your drawers. Judith Cairns, Colchester Sew good Before throwing away old clothes that can’t go to a charity shop, carefully take off the buttons and store them in a small tin. Then, if you ever need a replacement for another item, you know where to find one! Robert Hardman, Manchester £25 For every photo tip that…

YOU'RE THE JUDGE! Kelvin Mattocks, 53, was a bighearted dad of four. He had three jobs, including being employed for 18 years at a drain pipe company. He worked hard to support his family, It was a tiring routine. Kelvin’s colleague at Atlantic Drain Service Co, Robert Higgins, 47, had his own reason for clocking on each day. The job was the first steady work that he’d had in some years. Proud to be earning and saving money, he was up and out of the house each morning by 4.30am. After years of struggling to find work, Robert’s life was finally looking up. But, on 21 October 2016, tragedy struck. Frantic situation Kelvin and Robert were digging a trench in the South End area of Boston, Massachusetts. Then, at around 1pm,…

True-life PATIENT CASEBOOK Feeling my baby kick, I was sick with nerves as I held the phone. But I took a deep breath and asked for the results. ‘So… Does he have it?’ It was January 2018 and I’d waited weeks for the amniocentesis results. You see, when I was 24-weeks pregnant, the doctors told me my unborn son had four heart defects. It meant he could be born with Down’s syndrome or more complications. But later, they thought it might be 22q11.2 deletion syndrome. Also known as 22q, it’s a genetic disorder that affects many areas of the body, and varies in severity. So I’d had the amniocentesis to find out if he had the condition. And now it was the moment of truth. ‘Yes. He’s tested positive,’ the…

 Radio DJ Jo Whiley, comic and actor Sanjeev Kohli, comedian Sarah Millican and Olympic gold medallist Michael Johnson are here to help you train on the One You Couch to 5K app, which helps you get off the sofa and moving. Free on the app store. WE PAY CASH We’ll pay cash, or mention a charity of your choice, if we print your health story. Write to Your Health, Chat, 161 Marsh Wall, London E14 9AP or phone 020 3148 6150. You can send your story or email the Doc at chathealth@ti-media.com. Always consult your pharmacist or GP before using any over-the-counter or prescription remedies, and read the packet carefully.…

Q My doctor wants me to start tablets to reduce my blood pressure. Isn’t there a way to control it naturally? Agnieszka, Kilburn A Don’t knock the tablets – they do work and your doctor should find some with no side-effects. Bringing down your blood pressure (BP) is important to reduce the risk of strokes or heart attacks. If you’re overweight, try to get down into the healthy range. Switching to a diet high in fruit, fish and wholegrains, and low in salt can also help. Regular exercise – 75 minutes per week vigorous action, or 150 minutes of moderate exertion – is important. Don’t smoke and don’t drink more than 14 units per week.…

INNOCENT PRISONER On 5 December 1979, Teresa De Simone, 22, was found strangled to death in her car outside the Tom Tackle pub, Southampton. Sean Hodgson confessed to her murder and was sentenced to life. But in 2009, after 27 years in prison, Hodgson was exonerated when DNA proved he was not at the murder scene. Suspicion fell on petty thief David Lace – but by then, he’d taken his own life, just after the ninth anniversary of the killing. Lace’s body was exhumed and his DNA matched that found at the crime scene. UNSOLVED DISAPPEARANCE Martin Allen, 15, was reported missing on 5 November 1979. He was last seen by a school friend at London’s King’s Cross tube. A witness then saw a man with a boy matching Martin’s…

Sitting at my desk, I couldn’t concentrate on what the teacher was saying. My mind was anywhere but school. It was February 2013, and my period was late. The next few days were fraught with worry. I was only 14. Was I really pregnant? Finally, I mustered the courage to go to a family planning clinic. At 5ft 3in, I looked even younger than my age. But the nurses were really kind to me. ‘It’s positive, Rachael,’ the nurse told me after I took a test. She talked me through my options. The word ‘abortion’ was mentioned, but I knew straightaway that wasn’t for me. But how would I ever tell my mum and dad the news? And I dreaded going back to school, as well. You see, I’d always…

Facebook and eBay have promised to crack down on the sale of fake and misleading reviews through their sites, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) announced. The CMA said they’ve signed up to agreements to better identify, investigate and respond to illegal reviews. Since the watchdog raised concerns last summer, Facebook has removed 188 groups and disabled 24 user accounts; eBay has banned 140 users. Both have also pledged to introduce measures to stop such content appearing in the future. Did you know?  Piggy banks are falling out of favour, according to research by Halifax, which found 72% of kids owned one in 2019, compared to 80% in 2018. Over the same period, the number of kids receiving pocket money into bank accounts went up from 19% to 23%. TOP TIP…

As her big blue eyes met mine for the very first time, I just knew. There was nothing that I wouldn’t do for this baby girl in my arms. Minutes old, but she’d already changed my world. It was November 2009, and I’d just given birth to Ava. My husband Paul and I were already totally in love. Back home, motherhood was everything I’d hoped. Then, one night when Ava was four months old, her body stiffened and her arms and legs began to tremble. Her eyes were shooting from side to side. ‘Call an ambulance!’ I shrieked to Paul. Arriving at the local hospital, Ava was rushed for tests. Feeling helpless, all Paul and I could do was wait for answers. And a few days later, we were called…

Nspa Luminous Glow Brightening Eye Cream, £5, Asda The perfect morning pick-me-up – tap on with your ring finger to even out skin tone. Inc.Redible De-Puffing Under Eye Jade Roller, £12, skinny diplondon.com Roll away any signs of a late night with this cooling eye cream. The roller is made from jade stone for a relaxing treat. The Inkey List Brighten-i Eye Cream, £8.99, feelunique.com Using Brightenyl, a brightening ingredient four times more potent than vitamin C, dark circles and redness are banished in a couple of sweeps. TOP TIP Take your topcoat over the edge of your nail to help your polish stay put for longer.…

Genene Jones seemed like any other nurse in the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit. A woman with an aspiration to save lives and look after children. She joined a hospital in San Antonio, Texas, USA, in 1979, a year after starting training to become a licensed vocational nurse. Before then, she’d been a beautician. A divorcee, Genene, then 27, had two young children, so it seemed a natural path to bring her maternal nature to nursing. At the hospital, she was in charge of some of the sickest patients. Tiny babies having lifesaving treatment, children on the brink of death. Sadly, some didn’t make it, though losing patients isn’t uncommon in any hospital. Still, strangely, over the next five years, around 47 infants in the unit died under suspicious circumstances. They…

TEXT Simply text CHATC followed by a space and your answer/s (spaces between answers please) full name, door number and postcode to 84988 Texts cost 50p plus standard network charge (maximum 160 characters per text). When you enter by text, you may in future get SMS marketing messages from TI Media Limited and Chat. If you want to receive these, please end your text with TIOPTIN. Texting tips INTERNET Join our Chat Comp Club now and enter your puzzle answers directly online at our website address comps.lifedeathprizes.com/puzzles Existing puzzles and prizes members may need to re-register, just click on the ‘Join now’ button once you are on the website. PHONE Simply call 0906 470 7002 For every call to our competition Lucky Line, we’ll donate 10p to…

£1,001 CASH J Bowen, Callington £1,000 CASH D Banner, Nottingham Anyone from your town in the list this week..? £500 CASH D Jones, Northampton; P Beer, Exeter £250 CASH G Rowlands, Sittingbourne £150 CASH J Fletcher, Ripley £100 CASH R Smitham, Nottingham; C Jassi, Rufford; F Quinlivan, Oxford; J Stewart, Hove; S Pippen, Bridgend £60 CASH M Fraser, Darlington £50 CASH I Emerson, Humberston; S Lockett, Manchester; J Edwards, Droitwich; R Woolnough, Beccles; A Devlin, Luton; E Foster, Milton Keynes £30 CASH B Williams, Amington; H Colburn, Birmingham; Y Angel, Preston; S Perkins, Crewe; G Norris, Bewdley £25 CASH A Gavin, Bolton; D Doyle, Kelty; M Fairington, Newcastle upon Tyne; I Brown, Cardiff; L Kenyon, Doncaster; S Mears, Ripley; S Leake, High Peak; K Scarrott, Bicester; L Maddock, Newcastle upon…